Private All Day Tour & Blue Cave swimming

There is something special about doing the Bay of Kotor by speedboat, where you see the coast from the water instead of from a bus window. This private all-day ride also saves the best for later, with Blue Cave swimming plus a few stops that feel slightly secretive and very local.

I love how the day mixes big postcard views with small moments, like cruising past Kotor and Perast from the sea, then dropping into calmer coves for a real swim break. The other thing I like is the way Sea Rush Speedboat Tours leans into safety and fun, including solid swim stops and a lunch recommendation that makes the day feel planned rather than rushed. One drawback to consider is that the whole experience depends on good weather, so if conditions are rough you may have to shift plans.

Key highlights you should care about

• Private group up to 8, so you set the pace and get more time in the water
• Blue Cave swim for about 1 hour, with the chance to snorkel using provided gear
• Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks, including an optional museum ticket if you want it
• Luštica Peninsula stops, including Ribarsko Selo and a submarine base you enter by sea tunnel
• Mamula Island at the bay entrance, built up as a fort and later used as a prison
• On-board drinks and water, plus insurance and all fees included in the base price

Speedboat Views of Kotor, Perast, Mamula, and the Blue Cave

This kind of day works because it matches what the Bay of Kotor does best. From the water, the steep cliffs, old towns, and tiny harbors look like they were designed for boats. Even when you are not stopping, the cruising time still feels like part of the attraction.

The itinerary also avoids the usual all-day problem of too much time in parking lots. You get multiple coastal chapters, then a swim moment where it stops being sightseeing and starts being a physical break. I also appreciate that you have snorkeling equipment included, so you can try more than just a quick dip.

Who This Private Tour Is For (and Who Should Think Twice)

This tour is a strong fit if you want a private speedboat day without the stress of crowd logistics. Up to 8 people is a sweet spot for families, friend groups, or couples who want control over where the boat slows down and how much time you spend at the water.

It also suits you if you care about scenery but do not want to spend the whole day walking. There are city-town areas, but the heart of the experience is the sea approach, the coves, and that Blue Cave swim hour.

One watch-out: if you are easily motion-sick, you might want to be cautious. A speedboat is faster and more active than a ferry. Also, because the Blue Cave and open-water sections depend on conditions, a weather shift is always possible.

Price and Value: What $600.79 Per Group Really Buys

The listed price is $600.79 per group, up to 8 people, for about 6 hours. That means the cost makes the most sense when you fill the group size, not when it’s just one or two people. If you can split it with friends or family, the per-person value typically becomes a lot more attractive.

What you get for the base price is not just transportation. You get fuel, insurance, all fees and taxes, bottled water, and included drinks (domestic white wine and apple juice). You also get snorkeling equipment, which is the kind of “small extra” that usually costs more when it’s not included.

If you are comparing this to cheaper boat tours, the big difference is privacy and flexibility. You are not sharing the boat with strangers, and your day is built around your group’s pace rather than a fixed timetable for a mixed crowd.

Route Overview: Bay of Kotor to Perast by Speedboat

You start in Kotor and head out by speedboat with the bay unfolding fast. The scenery hits early: mountain peaks above calm water, Kotor’s old-town look with stone walls and churches, and boats bobbing as if they are part of the frame.

The Bay of Kotor stop is short, about 20 minutes, with admission listed as free. That’s enough time to take photos, orient yourself, and soak in the bay before you move on. If you love getting your bearings quickly, this structure works.

Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks: Venetian-Era Details and an Optional Ticket

Perast is the next chapter, and it is one of those places where buildings do most of the talking. The old town has architecture tied to Venetian rule, with Baroque details and palazzi, churches, and defensive towers that make the coastline feel like a timeline.

This stop is about 30 minutes, and admission is listed as free. That timing is realistic because the town is compact, but you will want a bit of time to just wander along the waterfront and pick out details.

Then you reach Our Lady of the Rocks, one of two islets off Perast (the other is Sveti Đorđe Island). It is an artificial island made using bulwark of rocks and older ships sunk with rocks. You get around 15 minutes here, and the museum entrance is not included at 3€ per person.

My practical take: if you enjoy small religious and maritime history, pay the museum fee. If you mainly want views and a quick look, you can often enjoy this stop just by focusing on the position and the water around it.

Ribarsko Selo Lunch Break on Luštica Peninsula

Next comes a more relaxed, coastal-feeling stop: Ribarsko Selo, located on the Luštica Peninsula between Žanjice and Mirišta beaches. This is the part of the day where the plan shifts from sightseeing to a lunch and swim-style break.

You get about 2 hours, with no admission ticket listed. The experience is built around fresh seafood and local cuisine, plus crystal-clear water and time to relax. There’s also mention of an organic garden and a small private beach, so it tends to feel like a real seaside pause, not just a quick stop for snacks.

A practical tip: if you want the best lunch timing, pay attention to when your skipper recommends ordering. The day flows in chapters, and eating mid-stop usually feels better than rushing at the end.

The Rose Submarine Base: Entering Through a Sea Tunnel

One of the most memorable parts of this tour is the submarine base built for the Yugoslav army during the World Wars. Here’s the interesting detail, you do not walk the peninsula. Instead, you enter the base directly by speedboat through a concealed sea tunnel.

The stop is brief, about 10 minutes, with admission listed as free. That short timing matters because it keeps the day moving, but it also means you should stay attentive. If you care about military history, this is the stop that can surprise you, because it is physical and unusual, not just a viewpoint.

If you are prone to claustrophobia, consider that a submarine base entrance can feel enclosed. The plan is short, but it is worth thinking about your comfort level ahead of time.

Mamula Island at the Bay Entrance

As the day continues, you pass Mamula Island, a small island at the entrance to Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor. It is about 1 km wide and has Mediterranean vegetation, but the real draw is what humans built there.

Historically, it moved from Illyrians to a Roman military post, then later saw Venetian and Austro-Hungarian fortifications as part of coastal defenses. The large circular fortress you see today was built in the 19th century by General Lazar Mamula, and during World War II it became a military prison. Today, it is visited for the fortress look, the island setting, and the panoramic bay views.

Even if you do not go ashore, the boat perspective makes this kind of fort look dramatic. It is one of those sights that reads like a story the moment you see the structure in the bay.

Blue Cave Swim Stop: Your Hour in the Water

The Blue Cave is the headline moment, and it earns the attention. The cave gets its mesmerizing blue glow from sunlight reflecting off the white pebble floor, turning the water and cave interior into that electric shade you see in photos.

The stop is about 1 hour, with admission listed as free. This is enough time to swim, use the snorkeling equipment if you want to, and just sit with the view for a minute. It is also the kind of stop that tends to feel cooler and more refreshing on hot days because you are in the water.

What you should know: you access the cave by boat, and the day is designed so you are not rushing between dozens of attractions. The hour is your true break from dry-land travel. If you want to make it count, aim to get your swim done earlier in the hour so you have time to relax and take photos without pressure.

On-Board Drinks, Safety, and Why the Skipper Matters

This tour includes bottled water and domestic drinks: white wine (0.33 dcl) and apple juice (0.33 dcl). The exact amount per person is not spelled out beyond those listed units, so it’s smart to treat the included drinks as part of the experience, not a full open-bar plan.

The drinks matter because they change the feel of the day. You go from “clock watching” to “we’re out here for the experience,” especially between stops.

In the reviews, the biggest praise centers on the skipper handling the day in a way that balances fun and safety. That shows up as good swim locations, confidence in the boat ride, and a lunch stop that was actually worth the time. I love that combination because it’s easy to find a boat tour that is just motion. This one tries to be a day with a plan.

Also, the tour includes insurance and fuel. Those details do not sound exciting, but they make a difference when you are out on open water.

Snorkeling Gear: What You Get and How to Use It Well

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not have to hunt down rentals. In practice, it’s most useful at stops like the Blue Cave and any swim-friendly break on the route.

If you are new to snorkeling, keep it simple: put on the mask and practice breathing while still in shallow water or with your support ready. The goal is comfort, not performance. The cave and clear water are what make the effort worthwhile.

If you already snorkel regularly, bring your own preferences if you have them. The provided gear should cover most needs, but personal fit can vary.

What to Pack for a 6-Hour Speedboat Day

You are moving between boat, water, and short stops, so plan like it’s a half-day on the sea, not a museum day.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a quick-dry layer for the boat ride
• Sunscreen, because you will be exposed while cruising
• A light towel if you have one
• Any basic motion-sickness option if that’s an issue for you
• Your usual power bank and photo essentials

If you want to enjoy the Blue Cave fully, it helps to have your swim gear ready early. You do not want to waste your hour hunting for your stuff.

Timing and Booking: When to Reserve

This tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking window of about 107 days. That tells me two things. One, capacity may fill up for private groups. Two, you want your plan locked in early so weather options are more workable if you need to reschedule.

If you are traveling in peak season, book sooner rather than later. If your dates are flexible, you can hold off a bit, but you will still want a backup plan for weather.

Should You Book This Private Sea Rush Day?

Book it if you want:

• A private boat day with a real swim highlight
• The Blue Cave swim experience with included snorkeling gear
• A route that mixes Kotor scenery, Perast details, and Luštica Peninsula stops without long bus rides
• A skipper-led day that focuses on fun plus safe swimming spots

Skip or think twice if:

• You get motion-sick easily on speedboats
• You prefer long walking time in towns and museums
• Your schedule cannot tolerate a weather-driven date change

FAQ

How long is the private tour?

The tour is about 6 hours.

What group size is this tour designed for?

It is a private tour for your group, up to 8 people.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $600.79 per group.

Does the tour offer pickup in Kotor?

Pickup is offered. For pickup details, you contact the provider.

What are the main stops during the day?

You’ll pass through and stop at places including Bay of Kotor, Perast, Our Lady of the Rocks, Ribarsko Selo, the Rose submarine base, Mamula Island, Blue Cave for swimming, and then cruise back through the Bay of Kotor.

Is Blue Cave swimming included?

Yes. Blue Cave is a stop of about 1 hour with swimming time, and snorkeling equipment is provided.

What entrance fees are included or not included?

Admission is listed as free for Bay of Kotor, Perast, and Blue Cave. Entrance to the Our Lady of the Rocks Museum is not included and costs 3€ per person.

What’s included on board?

Included items are bottled water, domestic white wine (0.33 dcl), domestic apple juice (0.33 dcl), insurance, fuel, all fees and taxes, and use of snorkeling equipment.

Is there an option for dinner?

Dinner is not included. A seafood dinner experience with Boka Seafood is optional for an additional cost.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded. If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.